The Struggle of Willing Yourself to Go Workout Daily

dezzie__

Hi guys. I'm sorta new to MFP; I used to use it on and off for like 6 months but now Im really trying to use it everyday and I'm successful... my problem is working out everyday. For the past 2 weeks, I've been working out 5 days a week, but I missed Monday this week, so to make it up I did my first 60 minute workout. Great, right? I am absolutely exhausted. And I slept 9 hours. I need motivation to keep going and pack my clothes everyday. I have friends I work out with when I'm at school, but my problem is just getting to the gym.

Oh, also a tidbit of information, I'm a college student and I'm currently taking a May course. My enrollment in the course allows me to use the on campus workout facilities, and my friend in my class is my workout partner. But once I go home and start my internship, I am never going to want to work out!!

I just need friends here to support me, and for me to support you know?

Anyways I'm done with my little spiel. Feel free to comment your thoughts and how you get through your personal workout struggles.

thepetiterunner

One of things I do to help me stay on target is to always commit to the first 15 minutes of a planned workout. Even on days I *really* don't want to, I make myself go and do the first 15 minutes and if I want to quit after that, then fine, but I'd say 90% of the time I just stick it out.

As far as motivation goes, why are you doing this? Do you really want it? I mean REALLY want it, as in I-can't-stand-to-be-this-way-another-second want it? Because if you don't, you may want to reevaluate what you're doing. You might simply not have the right mindset for it.

dezzie__

I really do want it, it's just that I feel content with the way I look.. It's complicated. The only way I can explain it is like this: my build is a bit different than most just because I'm not proportionate in weight on my upper body and lower body mainly because I gain all my weight in my butt and thighs. The best way to put it is that I'm a small in t-shirts but a large slowly pushing x-large in pants. I'm not trying to undergo a major transformation or anything but I wanna lose weight/tone my legs and butt in a way that allows me to be comfortable in my own skin..

That said, I'm content enough with my body for the sake of my own sanity and self-esteem, but I can't help but envy others with the legs I want and like you said I-cant-stand-to-be-this-way-another-second want it. I think my problem before was that I hadn't reached the point where I was really ready to work on making myself fit, which was why I didn't use MFP daily. Now, I'm using it daily in combination with other apps like Pacer for the days I don't actually run and just walk.. But thanks for the advice, I'll definitely try it out!

itodd4019

Vanity does not motivate me at all. I do what I do, so I can "do stuff!"

Join a team of some sort, like volleyball or softball. Register for a running event, or a cycling event, or something. Schedule a trip to a mountain for a 2 day hike, then get in shape for that. anything really

Then you have a purpose for fitness.

The look comes along with the performance.

Working out just to look in the mirror, or compare myself to others, seems rediculous-ish

Good luck, and don't give up

cwolfman13

do something you actually enjoy doing. people tend to have an extremely narrow interpretation of what constitutes a workout and they think that they need to either be doing some kind of fitness class, droning away on a cardio machine, or jumping around there living rooms to a DVD...I have never done any of those things because I would not enjoy them in the least and thus would not be very "motivated" to go workout.

My primary cardiovascular/aerobic exercise is riding my bike...I love riding my bike and I ride around 85 miles per week (more if I'm getting ready for an event). It is not a chore for me to go ride...I look forward to cool crisp mornings and seeing and hearing things on my bike that I would never see or hear insulated in my car on the same exact road. Riding my bike is both recreational and exercise. I also enjoy hiking here and there, walking my dog, a bit of swimming during the summer months.

Weight training is also a big part of my fitness regimen...I enjoy it, but I also know that it is ultimately essential to my overall health and well being as well as improving my cycling performance...which is important because in addition to being a recreational exercise activity, I participate in a few different rides throughout the year (generally 50 miles) as well as race cyclocross in the fall. Having a purpose behind your fitness that goes beyond just looking good (and looking good while still being able to drink all the beers) helps tremendously in the motivation department.

ValGogo

If it's early in the morning (rare) I make sure I go to sleep early.

Usually, for me, it's right after work. I jsut have my stuff with me and I go RIGHT AFTER WORK, before I can talk myself into something distracting.

Recently, I went late, like at 10 - 11:330 pm and it was really satisfying. Everyone was quiet, tired from the day, and it was emptier than usual.

dearannna

I started regular exercise (not for the first time) in January this year and found that it was easier just to start small and build up. So rather than every day I just committed to twice a week to start with, then built up to three when my body had got a little more used to it. As I started feeling better with more energy I wanted to go more often to get more of the results that I was seeing and mostly go 6 days a week now.

However, whether I feel motivated to work out plays no part in whether I go to the gym or not. Do you have to be motivated to take a shower? or is there a decision as to whether you can be bothered to go to class or not? Probably not! I'm trying to apply the same mindset to working out. It's just something that I do, and hopefully a habit I'll be able to form and keep for a long time into the future.

wardamnirish

One of things I do to help me stay on target is to always commit to the first 15 minutes of a planned workout. Even on days I *really* don't want to, I make myself go and do the first 15 minutes and if I want to quit after that, then fine, but I'd say 90% of the time I just stick it out.

I'm going to try this, because I've been struggling with this exact issue lately.

WaterBunnie

The extra calories provide my motivation. Keep it varied and you won't get bored and will want to do it. Don't feel it's always got to be an hour in the gym though, sometimes that's just not easy to work in. A half hour walk before work or something can be just enough sometimes.